Nursing nipple



J 4, 1950 H. J. SEARER 2,513,896

NURSING NIPPLE Filed Jan. 14, 1947 ATTORNEYS Patented July 4, 1950 UNlTED STATES PATENT oFFicE This invention relates to nursing nipples. and more especially it relates to' nursing nipples of the vented type wherein air is admitted automatically to the nursing bottle as the withdrawal of liquid therefrom creates sub-atmospheric pressure therein.

An important consideration in the design nursing nipples of the character mentioned is that the air passing through the nipple and into the bottle is not trapped in the streamof liquid being drawn from the bottle. since in such cases the air is swallowed by the infant, and colic results. In nursing nipples heretofore provided this problem has been met by the provision of more or less complex valve means in or near the base of the nipple for admitting air therethrough.

The chief objects of this invention are to provide in an improved manner for venting nursing nipples. More specifically, the invention aims to provide for the admission of air to the interior of the bottle as suction is applied to the nipple, in such a manner that said air not be trapped, in the form of bubbles, in the stream of liquid being withdrawn from the bottle through the nipple. A further object is to admit air tothe bottle as soon as diiferential air pressure is established between the interior and exterior of the bottle, without requiring said differential pressure to attain such magnitude as is necessary to collapse the nipple or otherwise to actuate valve mechanism associated with the nipple. Another object is to'avoid causing colic due to the swallowing of air while nursing from a bottle. Other objects will be manifest as the description proceeds.

Of the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a dlametric longitudinal section through a nipple embodying the invention, and a bottle on which the nipple is mounted by means of a securing cap, said nipple and bottle being shown in upright position, on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the nipple shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view of the structure shown in Fig. 1 in tilted or nursing position;

Fig. 4 is a diametric longitudinal section through a nipple constituting another embodiment of the invention. and a fragmentary portion of a bottle on which it is mounted, on an enlarged scale; and

Fig. 5 is a similar view of still another embodiment of the invention, shown on a smaller scale.

Referringfirst to Figs. 1 through 3 of the drawing, there is shown a bottle "I of the wide mouthed type having a neck portion N that is 2 claim, (Cl. 128-252) exteriorly threaded at l2. Receivable on the bottle neck II is a threaded cap 13 that overlies the top of said bottle neck and is formed with a relatively large axialaperture ll. A nursing nipple of resilient, elastic rubber or r rubber-like composition and designated as a .whole by 'the'numeral l6 extends through the axial aperture ll of the ,cap I3 and is retained upon the bottleneck H by saidca'p. To this end the base or lower extremity of the nipple I6 is formed'with a relatively thick, radially outwardly extending circumferential flange II. which flange rests upon the upper margin of the neck H, andis clamped thereagainst by the cap I3. The nipple has a neck portion it that extends freely through the aperture I! in cap l3, and is of somewhat greater length than the thickness of the cap in the region of the latter through which the said neck passes. said neck terminating in a bulbous breast portion is at, the large end of the latter. The greatest outside diameter of the breast portion I9 is substantially larger than the aperture I4 in can l3, but the resiliency of the material of which the nipple is composed enables said breast portion to be deformed to the extent necessary to pass it through the cap aperture ll. When the cap and nipple are assembled as described they may be handled as a unit.

Formed integral with the breast portion l9 at the small end thereof is a tubular axial extension or body portion 2| that has a closed outer end of somewhat bulbous shape that constitutes a mouthpiece 22. The latter is formed with an axially disposed delivery aperture 23 of small dimension through which liquid is withdrawn from the bottle by suction applied externally to the mouthpiece 22, as is well understood.

The previouslyv described structure is prior art, and no claim to the structure per se is made herein. The present invention, as distinguished from the prior art, is characterized by a tubular structure 25 disposed interiorly of the breast portion I9 of the nipple, concentrically thereof. Said structure 25 is an integral part of the nipple l6. being united therewith at its upper end, the remainder of the structure being free and unattached in spaced relation to the neck l8 of the nipple. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the tubular structure 25 is of the same diameter and thickness as the body portion 2| so as to constitute in effect an inwardly extending extension of the latter. The inner end of the structure 25 as shown is substantially coincident with the plane of the bottom face of the flange H, but it will be understood-that the end of the structure may be somewhat above or below this plane if desired. The arrangement is such as to provide an annular internal cavity 26 in the nipple, which cavity surrounds the body extension 25 and opens onto the bottom face oLthe nipple. The cavity 28 is vented to the atmosphere by a plurality of venting apertures 21, 21, which apertures are of small dimension and extend through the breast portion nipple. ma be rawmas, *4}? 4 therewith, is a tubular skirt II that constitutes, in eflect. a downward extension of the body portion 34. The length of the skirt portion 40 is such that it will enter the mouth of the bottle 32, its diameter being such that it has light trictional engagement with the inner surface of the bottle neck. The free end of the skirt is somewhat constricted or reduced, as'shown at ll, so g geed f rom,the smtiaqe'goiqthe bottle size of apertur s flfii'lk-fi exaggeratedt s ioii clarity 10 iieclc, to facilitate-the otatheln'ipple on of illustration.

sufllciently for the liquidto an extension as of the nippler Qbi'rioiidffsfiifieor the liquid enters the cavity 26 of the nipple the bottle, and for another purpose presently to explained. When the nipple is mounted upon abottl e, as shown in Fig. 4. there is formed an nnular cavity 42 bounded by the base 31, the 'skirt Alband the upper end or bottle 32. A plui vent aperture 43 extend through the "base-l1" asap-rouse "communication between the eavitygsflg; and the atmosphere. The vent aper- 55rd g from 91 ha s asde between said skirt and said enlarged portion constitutes a substantially annular cavity within the extremities of the nipple, which cavity is maintained when the nipple is mounted on a bottle, and a plurality of vent apertures of small dimension formed in the wall of said enlarged portion, said vent apertures communicating at one end with the atmosphere and at the other end with said cavity intermediate the ends of the latter, said skirt constituting means preventing the passage of air bubbles into the stream of liquid being withdrawn from the bottle through the nipple.

2. A nipple for a nursing bottle adapted to contain fluid to be withdrawn therefrom through said nipple, said nipple consisting of a one-piece structure of elastic material comprising a tubular body, an outwardly flared structure circumscribing said body in spaced relation thereto and united to the latter intermediate the ends thereof so as to divide said body into inner and outer portions, said outer portion of said body being axially apertured at one end to form a mouthpiece, said flared structure having marginal means to attach the nipple to a bottle neck, and said in- 25 ner portion of said body being spaced from said flared structure, the arrangement being such that the space between said inner portion and said flared structure constitutes a substantially annular cavity within the extremities of the nipple. which cavity is maintained when the nipple is mounted on a bottle, and a plurality of vent apertures formed in the wall 01' said flared structure, said vent apertures communicating at one end with the atmosphere and at the other end with said cavity intermediate the ends of the latter, said inner portion of said body constituting means preventing the passage of air bubbles into the stream of liquid being withdrawn from the bottle through the nipple.

HAROLD J. SEARER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 280,656 Morris July 3, 1883 411,794 Eggers Oct. 1. 1889 1,735,670 Blumenfeld Nov. 12, 1929 2,093,130 Kurkjian Sept. 14, 1937 2,204,448 Schmid June 11, 1940 

